Belvidere zoo welcomes baby spotted hyena Aug. 25-26

BELVIDERE, Ill. — Belvidere’s Summerfield Zoo has announced the arrival of a baby spotted hyena. The public is invited to see the special new addition to the zoo Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 25-26.

Special hyena activities will be provided for kids both days.

Rick Anderson, member of the board of directors at Summerfield Zoo, said: “The arrival of this hyena cub is very exciting! Hyenas are a very unique, intelligent and exciting species and will be a very fun addition to the zoo. There will be a lot of laughing going on at Summerfield Zoo as spotted hyenas are also known as laughing hyenas — and they do laugh! Eventually, we will obtain a mate for this hyena and have a breeding program for them at the zoo. In the meantime, this cub will be a great ambassador for the species and will be helpful in educating the public about the species.”

Summerfield Zoo is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 per person, and all proceeds go to the care of all the animals, many of which are rescues.

Also enjoy animal presentations, pony rides and a petting zoo, and shop for gifts at the gift shop. Lunch, snacks and beverages are available at the zoo at Carmen’s Café.

Summerfield Zoo is a not-for-profit organization providing an up-close and personal animal experience for the whole family.